BUDDING artists are being urged to grab their spray cans and knitting needles and paint the town red.

Leigh Neighbours has launched a new project called Our Art Neighbourhood that will consist of a series of workshops aimed at adding a splash of colour to Leigh.

Graffiti artist Gecko is leading a programme of urban art workshops aimed at transforming the town’s blank surfaces into colourful canvases with spray, chalk and stencil art.

There will also be yarn bombing workshops - open to both seasoned and novice knitters - where participants will fashion a range of woolly embellishments for street furniture and buildings to create a yarn trail across the town.

The workshops began last week when the project was launched at Civic Square.

Susan Gredecki, the joint chair of the Leigh Neighbours board, said: "I was delighted at the turn-out. It really does go to show the popularity of arts and crafts across all generations.

“We all have a creative spark in us and an urge to create something unique which expresses our personality. It's lovely to see so many people engaged in the workshops, young and old alike.

“One of the priorities for the Leigh Neighbours project is to explore and develop ways in which residents can come together and build community spirit.

“I've no doubt that Our Art Neighbourhood will go on to achieve this and I hope local residents enjoy seeing the fruits of their labour on show this autumn."

Our Art Neighbourhood is funded by Leigh Neighbours, a community group that received £1 million in funding from the National Lottery.

Lancashire artist Rachael Elwell, of Art Yarn, said: “We’ve already run some of the sessions and the feedback we’ve had so far has been fantastic."